Hill Station Tours
Kashmir Delight Tour
The Kashmir Delight Tour is a 10-day journey that opens with Mughal and imperial Delhi before flying up to the Vale of Kashmir for the full sweep of the valley — a shikara ride on Dal Lake in Srinagar, the alpine meadows of Sonmarg, the pine valleys of Pahalgam, the gondola at Gulmarg, and the terraced Mughal gardens laid out as an emperor's idea of paradise. It is the classic, unhurried way to see the Himalaya's most storied valley.
Tour overview
The tour is built in two halves. The first two days ground you in Delhi — the Red Fort, Jama Masjid and Rajghat of the old city, and the Presidential estate, India Gate, Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar of New Delhi — before a short flight lifts you into Srinagar. From there the valley unfolds at a gentle pace, with day excursions and overnight stays that let you settle into each place rather than simply passing through.
Era Tours has run Himalayan itineraries privately since 1997, and we operate this as a fully chauffeur-driven, tailor-made trip with hand-picked hotels and, where you wish, a heritage houseboat on Dal Lake. One local note we build in honestly: at Pahalgam and Gulmarg the local taxi unions do not permit outside vehicles for the final sightseeing legs, so those short hops are done by local taxi or pony on direct payment — our driver arranges it all for you so there is no confusion on the ground.
Shikara sunset on Dal Lake
A ride in a hand-paddled shikara across Dal Lake — past floating gardens and houseboats — is the quintessential Kashmir experience, best in the soft light of evening.
Three faces of the valley
Sonmarg's glacier meadows, Pahalgam's pine-clad Lidder valley and Betab Valley, and Gulmarg's high gondola each show a different side of the Himalaya.
The Mughal gardens
Nishat, Shalimar and Chashma Shahi, terraced above Dal Lake with fountains and cascades, were the Mughal emperors' vision of paradise on earth.
Day-by-day itinerary
10 daysOn arrival at Delhi airport you are met with a traditional welcome and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to rest after your flight. Overnight in Delhi.
A full day exploring the capital of Muslim and colonial India. In Old Delhi we photograph the Red Fort and take a rickshaw ride through the narrow lanes to the Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, whose courtyard can hold 25,000 worshippers, then pause at Rajghat, the memorial marking Mahatma Gandhi's cremation. In the afternoon, New Delhi unfolds — Vijay Chowk, the Presidential Palace, India Gate, the 1570 garden-tomb of Humayun and the towering brick minaret of Qutub Minar. Overnight in Delhi.
- Red Fort & Jama Masjid
- — Mughal citadel and India's largest mosque in Old Delhi.
- Humayun's Tomb
- — UNESCO-listed 1570 garden-tomb, the first of its kind in India.
- Qutub Minar
- — The tallest brick minaret in the world.
After breakfast you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Srinagar. On arrival you are assisted to your hotel or houseboat. In the evening you enjoy a shikara ride on Dal Lake, gliding past floating gardens and the wooden houseboats moored along the shore. Overnight in Srinagar.
- Dal Lake shikara ride
- — Hand-paddled boat ride across Srinagar's famous lake.
After breakfast we set out on a full-day excursion to Sonmarg, the "Meadow of Gold", where snow-capped peaks and glaciers rise above alpine grassland at the head of the valley. You return to Srinagar in the late afternoon, with the evening free at leisure. Overnight in Srinagar.
- Sonmarg
- — Glacier-fed alpine meadow ringed by snow peaks.
After breakfast we drive to Pahalgam, stopping en route at the Avantipura ruins, the remains of a 9th-century temple complex. On arrival you check into your hotel, with the balance of the day free to enjoy the pine-clad Lidder valley at leisure. Overnight in Pahalgam.
- Avantipura ruins
- — 9th-century temple ruins on the Srinagar–Pahalgam road.
After breakfast you set out on an excursion to Aru, Chandanwari and the Betab Valley, three of the loveliest side-valleys around Pahalgam, laced with pine forest, meadows and the rushing Lidder river. The evening is free at leisure. Note that these local sightseeing legs are done by local taxi on direct payment, as the taxi union does not permit outside vehicles; our driver helps you book it. Overnight in Pahalgam.
- Betab Valley
- — Photogenic pine-and-meadow valley near Pahalgam.
- Aru & Chandanwari
- — Meadow hamlets on the Lidder, gateway to alpine trails.
After breakfast you check out and drive to Gulmarg, the "Meadow of Flowers". On arrival you check in, and in the afternoon proceed for the Gondola cable-car ride up to the first phase for sweeping views over the meadows and peaks. The evening is free at leisure. As in Pahalgam, local sightseeing here is by local taxi or pony on direct payment; our driver assists with the booking. Overnight in Gulmarg.
- Gulmarg Gondola
- — One of the highest cable cars in the world, ridden to the first phase.
After breakfast you check out and drive back to Srinagar. In the afternoon we visit the three great Mughal gardens set around Dal Lake — Nishat, Shalimar and Chashma Shahi — with their fountains, cascading channels and terraced lawns, laid out by the Mughal emperors as their vision of paradise. The evening is free for shopping in Srinagar's markets. Overnight in Srinagar.
- Nishat & Shalimar Bagh
- — Terraced Mughal gardens above Dal Lake.
- Chashma Shahi
- — Spring-fed Mughal garden famed for its fresh water.
After breakfast you are transferred to Srinagar airport for your flight back to Delhi, where you are assisted to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Delhi.
In time you are transferred to Delhi international airport for your flight home, or you can extend your journey with us — to Ladakh, the hill stations of Himachal, or the Golden Triangle. Tour ends.
This itinerary is a suggested flow and is fully customisable — hotels, pace and sightseeing are tailored to you. Ask us to adjust it →
Places on this tour
What's included
- Accommodation on twin-sharing basis in your chosen hotel category
- Daily breakfast (meal plan as per itinerary)
- Private air-conditioned car with an experienced driver for road sectors
- All arrival, departure and inter-city transfers
- Shikara ride on Dal Lake as per itinerary
- All applicable taxes on the services quoted
Not included
- Delhi–Srinagar and Srinagar–Delhi airfare
- Local taxi and pony charges at Pahalgam and Gulmarg (direct payment)
- Monument, garden and gondola entry fees
- Camera, video and personal expenses
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and beverages unless specified
- Any visa, travel insurance, tips and gratuities
- Single-room supplement for single occupancy
- Anything not mentioned under inclusions
Ideal for: Couples, families and first-time visitors wanting the full Kashmir valley at a relaxed pace.
FAQ
Kashmir Delight Tour — your questions answered
Around ten days lets you see Kashmir properly with Delhi included, or about seven if you fly straight to Srinagar. This itinerary spends two days in Delhi and the rest across Srinagar, Sonmarg, Pahalgam and Gulmarg, so you settle into each part of the valley rather than rushing between viewpoints.
The best time is March to October, with each season offering something different. Spring brings the famous tulip garden and blossom, summer keeps the valley cool and green while the plains swelter, and autumn turns the chinar trees gold; December to February is cold and snowy, ideal if you want the Gulmarg slopes.
At Pahalgam and Gulmarg the local taxi unions do not permit outside vehicles for the final sightseeing legs. This is a long-standing local rule, so those short hops — to Betab Valley, Aru, Chandanwari and around Gulmarg — are done by local taxi or pony on direct payment, and our driver arranges the booking for you.
Yes, a night or more on a Dal Lake houseboat can be built into the Srinagar stay. The carved-wood houseboats are a signature Kashmir experience, and we can pair them with a hotel stay so you enjoy both; just tell us and we will arrange the category you prefer.
The itinerary includes proceeding for the Gondola ride to the first phase, though the cable-car ticket itself is on direct payment. The Gulmarg Gondola is among the highest cable cars in the world, and the higher second phase can also be arranged locally, subject to weather and availability on the day.
